26 BIG Ideas

The city's leaders in health, science, politics, food, and culture share their game-changing ideas for San Diego in 2016.

By Erin Meanley Glenny with additional reporting by Archana Ram

Published: 2015.12.23 10:08 AM

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Let's host more cross-border events.

Denice Garcia, Director of Binational, Affairs, Mayor’s Office

“I’m a border child,” says the Tijuana-born Garcia. “My family did a constant back and forth and that seemed so normal.” An estimated 50,000 people cross the U.S.-Mexico border daily, making it the busiest port of entry in the Western Hemisphere. Garcia says, “It makes us extremely unique and it’s also a competitive advantage that doesn’t exist anywhere in the world.” Businesses can establish headquarters in San Diego while manufacturing products in Tijuana at a lower cost, with a more efficient supply chain. “You’re not going to manufacture in China to import it back to the U.S.” At the mayor’s office, Garcia is in charge of liaising between San Diego and Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, Mexicali, and Tecate. Last year saw the first ever cross-border TEDx as well as a binational Maker Faire at Balboa Park. She would like to see more of these events, and at next year’s Maker Faire, she hopes to throw a spotlight on Baja’s culinary talents. “I consider myself a border groupie,” Garcia laughs. “I think it’s cool that you can go back and forth.” ¡Bienvenidos!